So, I've got a 10g tank with a few sps frags in it; I just got my test kits for Ca and Alk so I tested them today: 5.8dkH and 340ppm Ca. I'm not sure if I want to use lime or B-Ionic to raise my Alk/Ca levels. Should having such a small tank effect my decision? Right now I'm leaning toward B-Ionic because it sounds a little safer and sounds like a lot less hassle, also with a small tank 1 set of solution will last a lot longer. If I start dripping kalk how often should I test the water to begin with, and how soon should I notice a difference; also, same question for B-Ionic.
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now what?
- Thread starter jordanphulet
- Start date
If *I* had a ten gallon tank I would use B Ionic, because it would be easier. (No mixing kalk) And on a tank that small you don't have to worry about the expense of an off-the-shelf supplement.
I don't remember how much to add for a tank that size though, been years since I have used it. I think I remember there were guidelines on the bottle.
I don't remember how much to add for a tank that size though, been years since I have used it. I think I remember there were guidelines on the bottle.
Totally agree with Guy. Just be very systematic about water changes, like 5 gallons per week. On a small system like that, you have a high potential for nutrients to build up quickly with no real means of export.
Since it is such a small water volume, you probably won't have enough evaporation to have enough make-up requirement for kalk to work. Although, kalk will go a long way in keeping your dKH up. Which, by the way, yours is pretty low.
Since you are maintaining such a small water volume, I'd use the SeaChem dry additives like Reef Advantage Calcium, and the Reef Builder/Buffer. The Reef advantage calcium is great because it has magnesium at the correct ratio in the mix. ...And it is considerably cheaper than B-Ionic.
Personally, I've never been able to get B-Ionic to work correctly, especially with a low dKH.
As a side note. Phosphate/Nitrate, etc... are going to be major issues for you with a 10 gal tank. I'd use phosphate absorber regularly, or large water changes regularly.
Snapper
Since it is such a small water volume, you probably won't have enough evaporation to have enough make-up requirement for kalk to work. Although, kalk will go a long way in keeping your dKH up. Which, by the way, yours is pretty low.
Since you are maintaining such a small water volume, I'd use the SeaChem dry additives like Reef Advantage Calcium, and the Reef Builder/Buffer. The Reef advantage calcium is great because it has magnesium at the correct ratio in the mix. ...And it is considerably cheaper than B-Ionic.
Personally, I've never been able to get B-Ionic to work correctly, especially with a low dKH.
As a side note. Phosphate/Nitrate, etc... are going to be major issues for you with a 10 gal tank. I'd use phosphate absorber regularly, or large water changes regularly.
Snapper
I do a water change every week, between 1 to 2 gallons at a time. I may increase the amount of water I'm changing because this system does not have a skimmer and it does have 1 fish that I feed regularly. Some calerpa is started to get established but I wont have enough room to use that as a primary source of export. Should I use the B-Ionic to get my Ca/Alk levels up to optimum or should I use things like liquid calclum and buffer first them use B-Ionic to maintain those levels?
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